Editorial | Free smoke-free bill

The drive for a statewide law making most public places smoke-free got off to a great start.

House Bill 173 sailed through the House Health and Welfare Committee and got a rousing reception at a rally Feb. 12 at the Capitol where supporters touted its health benefits in a state with the nation's highest rate of smoking.

But it looks like the bill might get snuffed out in the House even though supporters say they believe it has the votes to pass - if it were called for a vote.

For unknown reasons it remains in legislative limbo.

Though it was first posted for a potential House vote on Feb. 14, it lingers without being called up by Democratic leaders who control the chamber.

Backers, including a coalition of some of Kentucky's leading health and anti-smoking groups, are increasingly concerned it could die from lack of action.

Kentucky has the nation's highest rate of lung cancer and lung cancer deaths. More than 3,500 Kentuckians die a year from lung cancer, the deadliest form of cancer and one directly linked to cigarette smoking.

Secondhand smoke contributes to the deaths of nearly 1,000 Kentuckians a year among people exposed through their workplaces or restaurants, bars and stores they visit.

Research shows that the smoking rate drops in areas - such as Lexington, Louisville and 37 other smaller communities - that have adopted smoke-free ordinances. And polls show that more than half of Kentuckians favor such a law statewide.

Yet each day passes with no vote in the House.

This is an insult to the bill's sponsor, Rep. Susan Westrom, a Lexington Democrat who has worked tirelessly, with bipartisan support, to move the bill through the legislature.

The House should pass HB 173 and hope the Senate follows its example.

If it doesn't, at least the House will have acted for the good of Kentucky.

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Editorial | Free smoke-free bill

The drive for a statewide law making most public places smoke-free got off to a great start.